Thirty Third Sunday of the Year (Year B)

 Thirty Third Sunday of the Year – November 17, 2024

Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32

(image courtesy: Google)

A priest once playing tennis with a friend and during the break, their talk shifted to a more serious vein with his partner asking: “Father, suppose the end of the world suddenly came and we were out there playing, what would you do? Get down on your knees and pray?”

The priest paused for a moment and said: “I’d go right on playing.”

What he’s trying to say is that we should not worry about the end of the world. What we should worry about is that whether or not we are holding on to our Christian faith and live it to the fullest despite of many adversities.

Today’s liturgy brings us into the final weeks of the liturgical year and offers us readings that invite us to reflect on themes of the end times, divine judgment, and the enduring hope we have in God’s promises. As we look forward to the feast of Christ the King, which concludes the liturgical year, this Sunday’s readings prepare us by challenging us to live as people of faith and hope in a world that often seems chaotic and uncertain.

In the first reading, from the Book of Daniel, the prophet speaks of a time of tribulation but assures us that God’s people will ultimately be delivered. This prophecy was given in a period of great suffering for the Jewish people, under oppressive rulers who persecuted them for their faith. The prophet Daniel offers a vision of hope, a promise that those whose names are “written in the book” will be saved.

For us, this reading speaks to our need for faith amid suffering. We all experience times when we feel oppressed by struggles or by the injustices we see around us. Yet, like the people of Daniel’s time, we can find hope in God’s promise of justice, of resurrection, and of new life.

Today’s gospel presents Jesus speaking of the end times, describing cosmic disturbances and the coming of the “Son of Man” in glory. Jesus’ words here can be unsettling, as He speaks of the sun and moon darkening, stars falling from the sky, and a time of great upheaval. Yet, within this apocalyptic language, there is a message of hope. Jesus assures His disciples that they will see the Son of Man “coming in the clouds with great power and glory,” and He will gather His chosen ones.

This passage reminds us that, as Christians, we live in the tension between the “already” and the “not yet.” Christ has already come into the world, won victory over sin and death, and established His Kingdom. But the fullness of that Kingdom has not yet been revealed. We are called to live in readiness, to watch and wait, trusting that Christ will return to bring everything to completion.

Jesus’ words, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away,” assure us that even when all else seems unstable, we can rely on His promises. In a world that often feels uncertain, these words are an anchor. We don’t know the day or the hour of His return, but we are called to live each day with faith, hope, and love, preparing our hearts to meet Him.

Living with Hope and Faith in Challenging Times

These readings together paint a picture of hope amid tribulation and call us to live with faith in God’s promises. The early Christians faced persecution and hardship, and the apocalyptic passages in the Gospels and Epistles were written to encourage them to remain steadfast. Today, we might not face the same level of persecution, but we all have challenges that can make us question where God is and when He will act.

As we approach the end of the liturgical year, it’s a good time for us to examine our own lives and ask: How are we living as disciples of Jesus? Are we living in readiness for His return, or are we distracted by the cares and concerns of this world? Do we trust in His promises, or are we overwhelmed by the difficulties we face?

Jesus doesn’t call us to live in fear of the end times; rather, He calls us to live with hope, to be a light to others, and to trust that God’s plan is unfolding. We are invited to look beyond the immediate struggles and to place our hope in the eternal. This is not about ignoring the problems around us, but about facing them with a deep-rooted trust that God is with us and that His love is victorious.

Being Signs of Hope in the World

As we reflect on these readings, we can also ask ourselves: How can we be signs of hope for others? In a world that often seems filled with anxiety and uncertainty, we are called to be people of peace and joy. By our faith and trust in God, we can help others see that there is something greater than the challenges they face.

One way to live this out is through acts of kindness and compassion. When we show love to those around us, when we forgive others, when we stand up for justice, we become witnesses to the Kingdom of God. We become signs that God’s love is present in the world and that His promises are real.

As we move towards the end of the liturgical year and prepare to celebrate Christ the King, this Sunday’s readings remind us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who is the beginning and the end. Though we do not know the day or the hour of His return, we are called to live each day as though it were our last—fully committed to Him, fully trusting in His promises, and fully open to being signs of His love in the world.

May we live with the confidence that God is with us, that He will not abandon us, and that He will bring His plans to fulfillment. And may our lives be a source of hope and light for others, pointing them to the One who is our eternal inheritance and our ultimate joy.

Happy Sunday